Botz: Great job doing the exercise with your daughter.

Ammi: Oh you silly. We love you no matter what and this is definitely the place to be if you are needing encouragement. Hugs. I am still not seeing TOM yet but feeling all the effects. Lol.

Val: Congrats on staying op. And yes, it is amazing what a difference time can make. Sometimes even just a day makes a difference. Hugs.

Heather: Hi hope you are well.

Storey: Great job on exercising.

Brenda: glad you enjoyed your guitar class.

Johnnie: Hi

Nancy: Sounds like the Jive class was fun and challenging, the best kinds of classes because a month from now you will be dancing like a jitter bug pro. Thanks for telling us about the show. I have seen the ads for it but never watched it yet.

Lindsey: Feel better soon.

Chrissy: Welcome back!

Catherine: Hugs.

Debbie: So happy for you with all the things you reported about your visit to the Dr. Great news. Sounds like you had a very busy night with all your critters. Lol. Hope changing the mattresses around again helped.

Carol: What a nice man you have.

Kayley: Hugs and will be praying for you to get the job.

Jeanne: Congrats on the weight loss!

Donna: Woohooo! Congrats on the -4 pounds. Maybe just try to take the other teacher offering you clothes as a nice thing. I get offered clothes at the weight loss group so often by ladies that are the same size as me right now. The clothes they are offering me , well, I swim in them. It is very hard not to take it as a negative but I try to just think that they are trying to reach out and be considerate. Hugs.

Battle: Huge hugs! Great job resisting though.

Cyn: so, so sorry about your loss. Hugs. What a super great motivation you have though to know that your Grandparents are rooting for you in heaven to continue your journey to a healthier life. Hugs.


Sharon: Congrats to the -2 more! Woohoo.

Today was my weigh in day. I am have updated my tracker. I lost 6 pounds this week. I am thrilled about it and so so close to getting out of the 3's forever. My job is extremely hectic with a coworker out due to her sister passing away of breast cancer. That leaves two voc. techs to do the job that 4 should be doing because we are down a tech anyway. I went to work at 7 this morning and didn't leave my desk until 6:30 tonight. Yesterday was the same and I am afraid that tomorrow will be about the same as today. Oh well. It is 8:24 and I need to go crash. Hope everyone is doing well and hugs to you all.

Blessings,
Annie

Morning all - I'm off for a rare Friday at the office. BUT I am off to the rare Friday at the office in jeans - yes - they are finally comfortable enough to wear all day! Talk about a great NSV! I have probably had these jeans for at least 8 or 9 years. When I was cleaning out a closet I actually found 3 pairs - two of them are a size smaller - you may be hearing the jean victories for a time. Sorry - this is a big deal for me as I always felt like I couldn't wear them - another step of being "normal" - HA!

Thanks for all your support - everyone have a great day!

Hugs,
Carol

Love hearing about all your victories and losses! I'm doing well but swamped at work. I was really proud of my hubby for making both of us go to the gym last night. We didn't want to, but we did!

Carol - Congrats on your jean victory! And go on as much as you want about it! You deserve it!

Just wanted to say HI before I get ready and go to my interview. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Kayley: Thanks and hopefully you are right about being out of the 300's next week. Good luck on your interview. I will say a prayer that they love you.

Carol: Yeah to being able to wear jeans. I totally hear ya. I have some jeans that don't quite zip up. When I first got them from group, they didn't even go up on my hips. Last time I tried them they went up no problem but wouldn't zip. So, I will rejoice with you when you can wear each size! Have a great day.

Heather: I'm proud of you going to the gym too. Hug DH for me. I know it is so hard to go when you are so tired and often times I shrug it off. I got up this morning and rode my bike 30 minutes then walked in place for another 10. I am hoping to add this to my home workout every day with more and more walking minutes. I do have WATP and perhaps I will break that out instead.

Well, I'm off to work for another loooooonnnng day.

Blessings all,
Annie

Hello All,

Sorry I didn’t get to post yesterday, I didn’t spend much time online and when I did I had to catch up with emails, and I enjoyed a chat or two with friends on MSN. I am happy to say that it’s now Friday and I’ve been OP faithfully, and I’ve managed to exercise every day

I went to the hospital today about my Sweets Syndrome (skin disease). Right now I don’t have any lesions, but as I had such a severe flare up before, the consultant wants to keep me on my meds for at least another 6 weeks. I’ll go back for a check up then and see what happens next.

Carol – oh no, you fell asleep and missed that piece about your trainer! Have you managed to find a clip of it online? I hope you did. If you did then it would be great if you posted a link to it here so we could watch it too

Debbie – How is your back now? I suffer with my back a lot so I can truly sympathise with you. As for your rash I am glad it seems to be clearing up, it’s amazing what stress can do to our bodies isn’t it.

Catherine – first of all a very tentative on your wonderful news about being pregnant But now you’ll have to tell me how your post about ‘killing another rabbit’ means you are pregnant lol. Or was it the fact that you haven’t been able to eat breakfast for about a week that gave it away? I think I am a bit slow Anyway you take things really easy now and I hope and pray that you will carry this baby to term

Cyn – my condolences on the loss of your dear grand father in December. I know exactly how you feel about feeling like an orphan now. When I lost my mum last year (dad died when I was 17) I felt so lost, and even though I have Daren and the kids, I still felt alone too. I really do sympathise with you, and none of this is helped by the fact you are feeling so ill too. I hope you feel better soon

Jeanne - on the 3 lbs loss, that’s great news!!

Ratkitty – I don’t do DDR, but that’s great advice you gave for those that do. I never would have thought that tightened ham strings from all that dancing about could pull on your back. Thanks for sharing.

Donna – how was your leg after that terrible cramping? I’ve only ever had cramp in my foot and my calf and that was horrendous enough so I can only imagine how bad one would be in the inner thigh. Ouchies!! I’m so sorry that you were in so much pain. Isn’t it funny how when we ladies really want to emphasise how painful something is we compare it to child birth. I did the same when I had my ostomy surgery. Everybody who would listen I would tell that the pain afterwards was like 50 times worse than child birth. Well it DOES give a wonderful idea of just how much pain we have been in doesn’t it

As for that lady in work, I am guessing she was much bigger than you prior to her losing weight? Is that why you weren’t sure whether or not to be offended at her offer of giving you some of her clothes that don’t fit her now that she’s lost weight? If that’s the case maybe she’s just not a good judge of sizes?

Sharon – I hear you on the hat thing. I may not have bushy hair, but I still look ridiculous in hats!!

Nancy – sorry that you saw a gain on the scales. Hopefully you are right that it’s just water retention, and if you’ve been a diet angel then that more than likely is the case. So the next time you weigh you have lost those 4lbs and some more as well

BattleAx – ooh can I have those scales please They sound like the perfect pick me up Oh darn it, I just read they had been switched over to KGs instead of lbs. In that case you can keep them

Valerie – let me at that woman who said gaining weight is harder than losing it! Good for you for managing to leave the room without violence breaking out Actually the sad thing is that there are some people who really do have problems gaining weight. Now if we can find out why that is, maybe we can harness the ‘cause’ and make a tablet that people like us can take and visa versa too so that we can help those that can’t gain weight

Botzz – what a great story about how you got your nick name for here, and as you said it’s very apt too! As for walking again and carrying your daughter for a lot of the way, who needs a gym

Story – I wonder if you can get heated eye goggles to buy along with your ear muffs so that you have complete comfort out walking in those freezing conditions

Idril – sounds to me like shovelling snow is a brilliant work out. I bet whatever you went over by in points you will have more than worked off!!

Kayley – you SHOULD go on about how well you did not giving in to any temptation when you spent time with your friends. How easy it would have been to say yes to sharing the popcorn, or to not go out to buy a salad when everybody else was having high carb stuff. You are right to be proud and I am proud of you

Good luck with that job interview working where you mum does Does this mean you didn’t get the second interview at Fashion Bug?

Annie - That is wonderful news that you have lost another 6 lbs, TwoTown here you come!!!!

I’m so sorry that your co-worker’s sister passed away, I know you were concerned about her. Sorry too that work is now extra hectic, but hey, you do get paid overtime I hope??

Heather – did you enjoy your work out at the gym even though you had to be dragged into going lol? Good on hubby for being so persuasive

OK gotta run now, I have some chatting to do Bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Just a sec to pop in - doing stalls till late and having so little time for anything else IS ALMOST OVER! One more week, well, 8-9 days, and I can move the boys and have some FUN riding and some free time when I need it. I'm looking forward to not being stressed & tired so much, and having 3 more hours a day to work out or what ever. I was talking a couple months ago about joining TOPS, and now I'll have the time.

We have a horse show this weekend. Stephanie & Shelby are showing Steega and Cody. I wish I could take Gabe along, just for the experience of getting out. But he won't fit in my little 2-horse trailer. Cross your fingers for the girls. Steph has had trouble so far, and I'm hoping she actually brings home a ribbon this time. Shelby is moving up a division, and the competition will be tougher. I'm also a bit worried because all that standing around in his stall with no turn-out has made old Cody a bit stiff in the hind legs. One more reason I'll be so happy to move.

Work is a bit hairy these days, but I'm loving it. Busy is good. I was brought in as a temp for 3-5 months back in September, but was told yesterday that they'll probably need me until at least July-August, so that's great! It increases my chances of becoming permanant. Back to payin' taxes...

I know I'm showing my age when I use a figure of speech that goes over everyone's head. In the old days pregnancy tests involved actually taking a sample from the woman, and injecting it into a female rabbit, waiting a few days, and then looking at the rabbit's ovaries under a microscope. Saying that the "rabbit died" used to mean you were pregnant (although even negative tests required the rabbit to be sacrificed). It is nice that is no longer required. It just goes to show that I am way too old to be in this position. I go to the doctor this afternoon. He's probably going to report me to Ripley's.

Hi Ammi - In the short time I've been around and you were missing I saw many people asking about you and hoping you would be back soon. Nice to meet you and looking forward to getting to know you.

Carol - I have found and tried some chair exercises online, but have come to the realization that I would do better and it would be easier with a video to follow along with. After reading your post, I had one of those "duh" moments when I realized that I have a Netflix subscription and have never looked to see if they have exercise videos. Well, they do, however, only 1 of chair exercises. I did order that, plus 2 WATP I think I might be able to do a little at a time and work my up to doing the entire thing. With Netflix I can try out several before purchase so I know what is just right for me. What a great NSV on your jeans.....I'll bet you look great in them too.

Debbie - Congrats on the big NSV of not getting up to eat. I cannot count the times I have sabotaged myself with that thought that once I blow it I might as well eat something else, so I know how hard that was for you.

Cyn - My condolences on losing your Grandpa

Heather - Congrats on going to the gym anyway, sometimes it is so hard doing those things we know we should, but are so easy to avoid.

Jeane - you on your 3 lb loss

Donna - Leg Cramps can be so painful. Seems no matter what you do it doesn't get better. I sometimes get them because of my RA and have to take muscle relaxers to get some sleep. As far as the lady offering clothes, I had someone offer me clothes also and I had basically the same reaction as you, so I don't think you were being too sensitive. Although my brain knows they are just being kind and generous, that doesn't stop those sensitive feelings.

Botzz - Don't think I've said Hi & Welcome to you as yet. So Hi & Welcome ... loved the story about getting the name Botzz.

Sharon - I haven't chosen any particular type of volunteering. Here in town we have a Volunteer Center that has lots of choices, so when the time is right, I will choose something where I think I can contribute the most.

Val - What remarkable self control you are exhibiting these days, not only with your food choices, but also with coworkers Good Luck to your girls in the horse show this weekend.

Battle - You figured out the scale much easier than I would have. I'm afraid I would have bought a new one & then realized what the problem was.

Idril - Just reading about you shoveling snow made my arms ache.

Kayley - WTG on resisting all those temptations...go on about it all you want girl, I do the same. I am proud of you also. Hope your job interview went well today fingers crossed for you.

Annie - on your 6 lbs gone forever. Next week you'll probably see that 3 gone forever.

Catherine - You are not alone, I'm also old enough to know exactly what the "killed a rabbit" reference meant. Congratulations and I wish you the best for a safe, healthy pregnancy, since we know it will be difficult.

I had my WI today and was down 9 lbs. I think part of this was getting rid of the lingering water retention from that Christmas ham, but also some real weight loss. I was 340 last month on the 11th, then 336 the week before Christmas and back to 340 the week after, so my monthly loss is also 9 lbs. I have been losing 10 lbs per month so i"m satisfied with being only 1 lb off after Christmas week.

Wishing everyone a wonderful OP weekend.

Another fly by from me. My closing is finally done so life should be getting back to normal again soon.

Unfortunately, I have come down with a cold and for some reason or other this time it seems to be coming with some massive water retention. I am blowing up like a balloon (ok - maybe I am exaggerating a little bit here) but it feels so weird. I just need to get some rest and hopefully I can get over this really quickly. Unfortunately I don't have the energy to write much more, but hopefully I will be back tomorrow feeling better!

Just a quickie --

Ammi -- Good to see you posting! You'll be pleased to hear that by the time I GOT to the gym I was happy I went. Many days getting in the car is 99% of the battle...

Catherine -- I knew what it meant about the rabbit!!

Annie -- Forgot to congratulate you on your loss!

Kayley -- Yay about the job!!

I went and lifted at the gym tonight. I had to go home to feed the dogs and get my gym clothes. I really just wanted to lie down, but knew that if I did I'd never get up...

Hi everyone,
Just dropping in and flying through. Been one heck of a long work week and I think I am going to curl up in bed with a warm pup and a good book. Maybe watch the tube and hopefully fall asleep early.

Kayley~ way to go on getting the job!!!

annie~ on the loss

Nancy~ Hope you feel better soon!!

I'll do more personals tomorrow.... nite...

Hey everyone,

Today one of my clients commented on my weight loss and asked if I'd stopped eating. He hasn't seen me in a couple of months. I guess to him the weight loss seemed dramatic, but I went along until about 55-60 lbs lost with no one noticing--in other words, it was very recent that it registered with people. Funny how it seems quick and dramatic to people when I've been plodding along for quite a while.

Anyway, it felt nice to have him say I'm looking "svelte" (hahaha) because I have a secret crush on him. Due to our professional relationship, I have not and will not let on, but I am really sweet on him. In fact I probably go overboard trying to keep a professional distance from him.

In other news, I had an interesting time with my friends last night. I wrote about the one tiny skinny friend in the sushi restaurant last month, who felt uncomfortable because I had stopped eating before she did.

Last night, we were eating pizza, and I ate a reasonable amount of it and stopped. A while later she went over to the pizza box and tried to get us to eat the remainder. She continued to harp, after I said no thank you several times: Oh come on BattleAx, take one more piece! There's only one left! Let's finish it up! I told her to stop right there and look at what she said and remember it the next time she accuses me of trying to over feed HER. I went on to say I have never once tried to force her to eat more than she wanted, and if she wanted a guilty party she needed to look no further than her own self.

The other friend piped in at one point and asked if I would feel better if she ate the last piece. I told her that what she ate was her business, and it wouldn't make me feel one way or another.

I said it all in a joking way, but my voice continued to rise. She got the point, and was clearly embarrassed at being called on her behavior.

-------------------

Annie: Congratulations on your 6 lbs. lost! Excellent job. How exciting that you are so close to your next big milestone.

Kayley: Congratulations on your job offer. I hope it is a great job for you. You'll be well-dressed, for sure!

Carol: Yipppee on the jeans! It's funny, I thought I was just not the jeans wearing type anymore, but now that I've lost some weight, jeans aren't that uncomfortable anymore.

Heather: great job on going to the gym last night. Sometimes it really is a fight. Most of the time I end up doing ok during the workouts I didn't want to do. Even with the ones that I moan and whine through, I'm happy later and feel so much better for exercising.

Ammi: Good for you, staying on plan! You're back at it. Yay! I'm glad your lesions have cleared up.

Valerie: I've got everything crossed hoping you will be offered a permanent position at your employer.

Catherine: I understood when you said the rabbit died. Still didn't know whether to congratulate you. I hope it all works out for the best. I know you'll be a great parent if it turns out to be a viable pregnancy.

TexArk: Big kudos to you for the 9 lbs. lost. Yay!

Nancy: Feel better soon. There is a nasty cold going around, and if you have it, I hope you have the mildest form, and are back to your old self in no time.